Ansah could be the key to the Lions’ defense in 2014

Posted by Mike Florio on July 14, 2014, 11:08 AM EDT

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If the Lions hope to make good on high internal expectations (at this point, it’s easier to list the players who haven’t declared that the team can win a Super Bowl), they’ll need to get a strong season from one of the most currently overlooked players on the team’s defensive line.

As explained by Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News, the Lions need a big impact from Ansah in his second season. The fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft, regarded as a project when selected, managed to rack up eight sacks in 14 games last year. If he can make a major jump in 2014, the defense — and in turn the entire team — will be much better for it.

Ansah will definitely get the opportunity to have an impact on the defense by making an impact on opposing quarterbacks. Along with other things, apparently.

“He’ll do what we’re asking our rush ends to do,” new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said during offseason workouts. “He’s going to rush. He’s going to drop. He’s going to move to different positions. He’s going to do some different things.”

With defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley entering contract years, they both have strong financial incentives to play better than ever. Which will, if it happens, resulting in greater attention being paid to them. Which will, if that happens, result in more opportunities for Ansah to face only one blocker as he gets more comfortable, and in turn possibly much more productive, at the NFL level.

While the team’s ultimate success will be driven in large part by whether it can get the most out of Joe Lombardi’s Saints-style offense, a postseason berth could result in a one-and-out showing if the defense isn’t significantly better. For that to happen, Ansah will have to be significantly better.

I’m just happy that the Dolphins foolishly traded up for Dion Jordan and that there was never any risk for us to take Jordan. If they took Ansah themselves, then Detroit would have taken Jordan or a number of other silly picks. Ansah was a better prospect and we got him at a lower pick, thanks Miami!

ThePFTPoet says Xavier Rhodes is a top cover corner….. that’s hilarious man. He was a rookie last year and started on the worst defense in the league…how is he a top cover corner? (That being said, he is really good at chasing receivers with the ball from behind into the end zone)

Lions don’t have the strongest secondary but I believe they will surprise people. Out with the old and in with the new coaches that have proven to be successful. If you look at the last few game for Detroit last year it was not their defense that was the issue. Their offense couldn’t put up crucial points when they needed to give the defense a hand.

“He’s going to rush. He’s going to drop. He’s going to move to different positions. He’s going to do some different things.”

For a 2nd year rookie that was considered a project when he was drafted, this sounds like a TERRIBLE IDEA. Having him move to different positions and dropping? Reminds me of Mario Williams early career, they had him moving all over the defensive line. Eventually they stopped doing that and let him play in his spot most of the time.

For the guy that said Ziggy was a project last year; you are a fool to think that. He was the best defensive player taken last year. Van Noy will be the next best defensive player taken. Warford was one of the best guards last year and the foolish team that wasted draft picks on all those talented (haha) DEs last year when Detroit got a great one that was even drafted. Waddles played a talented DE last year, and didn’t even cost us a draft pick.